The global nonwoven fabric market is expected to reach US$ 66.8 Bn by 2024 end, expanding at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period (2016–2024). Asia Pacific is estimated to account for a share of 39.6% by 2016 end and is projected to be the largest market in the global nonwoven fabric market.

Nonwoven fabric materials find major application in consumer products such as disposable diapers, feminine care products, and adult incontinence, and market growth is consequently driven by increasing demand for such hygiene products over the forecast period. Increasing infant and child population in Asia Pacific is estimated to drive significant demand for disposable diapers in the near future. Increasing consumption of disposable diapers and feminine care products in emerging countries with low penetration is anticipated to provide an impetus for market growth over the forecast period. Moreover, increasing demand for fuel-efficient and lightweight transportation automobiles is also anticipated to drive market growth in the near future.

The increasing application of nonwoven materials in automobile interiors combined with increasing automotive production output is anticipated to drive market growth to a certain extent. However, a high price of finished products is attributed to high cost of raw materials. Such high prices of finished products are expected to impede market growth over the forecast period. Increasing stringent regulations on the textile industry is estimated as another factor restraining market growth. Moreover, shifting nonwoven production to ASEAN countries, offering consumer-specific products and basis weight reduction are some of the key trends observed in the global nonwoven fabric market.

By technology, global nonwoven fabric market is segmented into spunlaid, drylaid, wetlaid and others. Spunlaid nonwoven technology is further classified as spunbond, melt blown and spun melt spun. Drylaid nonwoven technology is further classified as spunlace, needlepunch, and thermal bonded, chemical bonded, airlaid and carded. Based on material type, nonwoven fabric market is segmented into polypropylene, polyester, rayon, polyurethane, polyethylene and nylon. Among these material types, polypropylene is most prominently used. On the basis of application, the market is segmented as construction, textile and personal care.

Technology Segment Analysis:

Spunlaid and drylaid segments are projected to collectively expand at a CAGR of 6.7% over the forecast period, which is higher than the projected global average growth rate. The two segments are anticipated to create incremental $ opportunity of US$ 27,616.5 Mn between 2016 and 2024. Wetlaid segment is projected to expand at a relatively low CAGR over the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific nonwoven fabric market is anticipated to witness higher growth rates due to increasing penetration of disposable diapers in emerging ASEAN countries namely Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Growth rates in markets in the Middle East & Africa and Latin America are expected to be above average due low product penetration in these region. The market in Europe is anticipated to witness moderate demand over the forecast period owing to increasing construction activities in Russia. North America nonwoven fabric market is anticipated to witness relatively low demand due to increasing ageing population in the region.